Subjective Reactions to Atropine/2-PAM Chloride and Heat While in Battle Dress Uniform and in Chemical Protective Clothing
Abstract
Subjective reactions and symptomatology were assessed during continued exposure to combinations of atropine (2 mg) and 2-PAM chloride (600 mg), heat and humidity at 95 F (35 C) with 60% relative humidity (RH), and wearing of either the U.S. Army battle dress uniform (BDU) or impermeable chemical protective clothing (MOPP-IV). Reported symptoms were due primarily to heat rather than to drug effects, but some visual and somesthetic reactions typical of atropine were also noted. Elevated heat stress caused by wearing MOPP-IV at 95 F (35 C) with 60% RH significantly increased the frequency and severity of reported symptoms, compared to a parallel study in which only BDUs were worn under equivalent heat and humidity conditions. At 95 F (35 C) with 60% RH, participants were able to complete the 6 hr of testing wearing BDUs, but they lasted only 2 hr in MOPP-IV. Claustrophobic reactions due to encapsulation in MOPP-IV, which have been reported in other studies, were not observed in this study. (jes)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA221729
Entities
People
- Donna J. Mcmenemy
- John L. Kobrick
- Richard F. Johnson
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine